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Ethics: Part Two :

Ethics: Part Two Ethics in Action Florida's Code of Ethics and Brevard Public Schools Ethics' Page.

Florida Code of EthicsPrinciples of Professional Conduct :

Florida Code of EthicsPrinciples of Professional Conduct One of the most important documents that you, as a pre-service teacher in Florida, should possess is a copy of the Florida Code of Ethics that also contain the Principles of Professional Conduct.

Slide 3:

The Code of Ethics is actually
really short (as we have seen
previously). There are three
main segments of major
importance.

6B-1.001 Code of Ethics of the Education Profession in Florida. Part One :

6B-1.001 Code of Ethics of the Education Profession in Florida. Part One The educator values the worth and dignity of every person, the pursuit of truth, devotion to excellence, acquisition of knowledge, and the nurture of democratic citizenship. Essential to the achievement of these standards are the freedom to learn and to teach and the guarantee of equal opportunity for all.

Slide 5:

Part One contains a powerful statement, for it requires you, as a teacher, to respect everyone in your classroom as well as your school regardless of personal opinions. As the teacher, you must provide a learning environment which promotes respect, truth, as well as a thirst for knowledge. Students should be nurtured in a way that promotes democratic citizenship, freedom, and GUARANTEE an equal opportunity to learn. That's a tall order, but one that should be offered to each and every student. Schools should not be the place where students learn to discriminate or face discrimination.

6B-1.001 Code of Ethics of the Education Profession in Florida. Part Two :

6B-1.001 Code of Ethics of the Education Profession in Florida. Part Two The educator's primary professional concern will always be for the student and for the development of the student's potential. The educator will therefore strive for professional growth and will seek to exercise the best professional judgment and integrity.

Slide 7:

As teachers, we must keep the well being of our students in mind at all times. That's why when we plan lesson plans, arrange a classroom, deal with conflicts inside the classroom (whether they are student/student conflicts or teacher/student conflicts), we should always keep the student in mind. We need to develop the skills to see beyond the immediate cause and effect to the long term cause and effect. We need to take the responsibility of maintaining control of our classroom for the safety and protection of all-- not just emotionally and physically, but also academically.

Slide 8:

As a teacher, I am troubled when I see a student's potential go to waste. At the college, we have intervention services that we provide to our students (OSD and Early Alerts) as well as academic services such as those offered by the Learning Labs and Smarthinking.

6B-1.001 Code of Ethics of the Education Profession in Florida. Part Three :

6B-1.001 Code of Ethics of the Education Profession in Florida. Part Three Aware of the importance of maintaining the respect and confidence of one's colleagues, of students, of parents, and of other members of the community, the educator strives to achieve and sustain the highest degree of ethical conduct.

Slide 10:

A teacher's profession and personal reputation is irreplaceable. Any hint of improprieties in his/her professional life as well as personal life can create all sorts of trouble. In the past before women were granted citizenship, teacher contracts controlled both the professional and personal lives of female teachers. Teachers were not allowed to wear make-up, to ride in vehicles with males other than family members, or to get married. Even though those sorts of restrictions are no longer in place, teachers still must protect their reputations.

Slide 11:

The Principles of Professional Conduct for the Education Profession in Florida are also divided into sections.

6B-1.006 Principles of Professional Conduct for the Education Profession in Florida. :

6B-1.006 Principles of Professional Conduct for the Education Profession in Florida.

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The following disciplinary rule shall constitute the Principles of Professional Conduct for the Education Profession in Florida.
Violation of any of these principles shall subject the individual to revocation or suspension of the individual educator's
certificate, or the other penalties as provided by law.

Obligation to the student requires that the individual: :

Obligation to the student requires that the individual: Shall make reasonable effort to protect the student from conditions harmful to learning and/or to the student's mental and/or physical health and/or safety.
Shall not unreasonably restrain a student from independent action in pursuit of learning.
Shall not unreasonably deny a student access to diverse points of view. Shall not intentionally suppress or distort subject matter relevant to a student's academic program.
Shall not intentionally expose a student to unnecessary embarrassment or disparagement.
Shall not intentionally violate or deny a student's legal rights.

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Shall not harass or discriminate against any student on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin, political beliefs, marital status, handicapping condition, sexual orientation, or social and family background and shall make reasonable effort to assure that each student is protected from harassment or discrimination. Shall not exploit a relationship with a student for personal gain or advantage.
Shall keep in confidence personally identifiable information obtained in the course of professional service, unless disclosure serves professional purposes or is required by law.

Slide 16:

Because of our Code of Ethics and the Principles of Professional Standards, not only do we not harass or discriminate against students, we also can not allow it in our classes. By not addressing those incidences that involve bias and prejudice in our classes, we are violating the principles. As teachers, we can not turn a blind eye to these episodes.

Obligation to the public requires that the individual: :

Obligation to the public requires that the individual: Shall take reasonable precautions to distinguish between personal views and those of any educational institution or organization with which the individual is affiliated.
Shall not intentionally distort or misrepresent facts concerning an educational matter in direct or indirect public expression. Shall not use institutional privileges for personal gain or advantage.
Shall accept no gratuity, gift, or favor that might influence professional judgment.
Shall offer no gratuity, gift, or favor to obtain special advantages.

Obligation to the profession of education requires that the individual: :

Obligation to the profession of education requires that the individual: Shall maintain honesty in all professional dealings.
Shall not on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin, political beliefs, marital status, handicapping condition if otherwise qualified, or social and family background deny to a colleague professional benefits or advantages or participation in any professional organization. Shall not interfere with a colleague's exercise of political or civil rights and responsibilities.

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Shall not engage in harassment or discriminatory conduct which unreasonably interferes with an individual's performance of professional or work responsibilities or with the orderly processes of education or which creates a hostile, intimidating, abusive, offensive, or oppressive environment; and, further, shall make reasonable effort to assure that each individual is protected from such harassment or discrimination. Shall not make malicious or intentionally false statements about a colleague.
Shall not use coercive means or promise special treatment to influence professional judgments of colleagues.

Slide 20:

Shall not misrepresent one's own professional qualifications.
Shall not submit fraudulent information on any document in connection with professional activities.
Shall not make any fraudulent statement or fail to disclose a material fact in one's own or another's application for a professional position. Shall not withhold information regarding a position from an applicant or misrepresent an assignment or conditions of employment.
Shall provide upon the request of the certificated individual a written statement of specific reason for recommendations that lead to the denial of increments, significant changes in employment, or termination of employment.

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Shall not assist entry into or continuance in the profession of any person known to be unqualified in accordance with these Principles of Professional Conduct for the Education Profession in Florida and other applicable Florida Statutes and State Board of Education Rules.

Slide 22:

Shall self-report within forty-eight (48) hours to appropriate authorities (as determined by district) any arrests/charges involving the abuse of a child or the sale and/or possession of a controlled substance. Such notice shall not be considered an admission of guilt nor shall such notice be admissible for any purpose in any proceeding, civil or criminal, administrative or judicial, investigatory or adjudicatory. In addition, shall self-report any conviction, finding of guilt, withholding of adjudication, commitment to a pretrial diversion program, or entering of a plea of guilty or Nolo Contendre for any criminal offense other than a minor traffic violation within forty-eight (48) hours after the final judgment. When handling sealed and expunged records disclosed under this rule, school districts shall comply with the confidentiality provisions of Sections 943.0585(4)(c) and 943.059(4)(c), Florida Statutes.

Slide 23:

Shall report to appropriate authorities any known allegation of a violation of the Florida School Code or State Board of Education Rules as defined in Section 1012.795(1), Florida Statutes.
Shall seek no reprisal against any individual who has reported any allegation of a violation of the Florida School Code or State Board of Education Rules as defined in Section1012.795(1), Florida Statutes.
Shall comply with the conditions of an order of the Education Practices Commission.
Shall, as the supervising administrator, cooperate with the Education Practices Commission in monitoring the probation of a subordinate.

Slide 24:

Of the two items highlighted above, the self reporting tends to surprise many of my students. When we get to the scenarios, be sure that you remember about the self-reporting clause.

Brevard Public Schools has its own ethics' page. :

Brevard Public Schools has its own ethics' page. Click HERE to go to the BPS Ethics Page

The Questions and Answers' page has many interesting questions/answers that may interest you. :

The Questions and Answers' page has many interesting questions/answers that may interest you. If a homeroom mom collects from students and buys a gift from the class over $50, does it need to be reported?
Is it unethical for an employee to sell products at their work site, for instance, Avon products, cookware etc. What about Girl Scout cookies and other fund raisers of this type?
If an employee writes a letter to the editor or other article which shows disagreement with the superintendent or the school board would that embarrass the school system?
What happens to an employee who does not sign the pledge? Would discipline or retaliation against such employee be ethical?

Slide 27:

The Brevard Public Schools ethics policies resembles that of the Florida Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct.

"As set forth in the Principles of Professional Conduct for the Education Profession in Florida, each employee shall: :

"As set forth in the Principles of Professional Conduct for the Education Profession in Florida, each employee shall: make reasonable effort to protect the student from conditions harmful to learning and/or to the student's mental and/or physical health and/or safety;
not unreasonably restrain a student from independent action in pursuit of learning;
not unreasonably deny a student access to diverse points of view; not intentionally suppress or distort subject matter relevant to a student's academic program;
not intentionally expose a student to unnecessary embarrassment or disparagement;
not intentionally violate or deny a student's legal rights;

Slide 29:

not harass or discriminate against any student on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin, political beliefs, martial status, handicapping condition, sexual orientation, or social and family background and shall make reasonable effort to assure that each student is protected from harassment or discrimination; not exploit a relationship with a student for personal gain or advantage; and/or
keep in confidence personally identifiable information obtained in the course of professional service, unless disclosure serves professional purposes or is required by law.

Slide 30:

Forms, Forms, and more Forms

Slide 31:

An Excess of $50 Form
Ethics Complaint Form
Ethics Policy Form
Many school districts insist that all new employees sign the Ethics Policy Form and then put the signed form into the employee's permanent file.

Slide 32:

So, how do teachers stay "out of trouble"? Here are some common sense guidelines from the Professionalism through Integrity, the ethics training manual for Florida Educators. (You can download this document--check your folder.)

HOW TO USE COMMON SENSE AND PROFESSIONAL JUDGMENT TO AVOID LEGAL COMPLICATIONS IN TEACHING :

HOW TO USE COMMON SENSE AND PROFESSIONAL JUDGMENT TO AVOID LEGAL COMPLICATIONS IN TEACHING

Interaction with students :

Interaction with students Maintain a professional barrier between you and students. You are the adult, the teacher, and the professional; act like the expert, not like another one of the "kids."
Keep the classroom door open when talking with students.
Refer students to the appropriate resource person for counseling and/or discussions about personal matters.
Do NOT flirt with students.

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Do NOT discuss your personal life or personal matters with students. Do NOT discuss your husband, wife, girlfriend, boyfriend, or dates.
When transporting students, coordinate transportation ahead of time, and use school or mass transportation if possible. If necessary, call a taxi for the student. If you must transport a student in your vehicle, ask a co-worker to accompany you.
Avoid leaving your students unsupervised; have an alternate plan of action.

Slide 36:

Keep your hands and other parts of your body to yourself.
Use verbal praise and reinforcement.
Know your school policies and district and state laws governing corporal punishment. Establish and follow a consistent behavior plan. Treat each student with respect. Know the students' rights.
Chaperon only school-sponsored functions. Do NOT socialize with students. If you chaperon a field trip, put in writing what your responsibilities will be. Do NOT drink alcoholic beverages in front of students. Do NOT take students home with you.

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Do NOT make telephone calls or write notes of a personal nature to students.
Do not harass students; respect their differences. What you intend as humor may, in fact, be cultural bias or harassment.

Record keeping and accounting procedures :

Record keeping and accounting procedures Know the laws, school board policies, and school rules and follow them. Know your rights.
Know your school policies and district and state laws regarding collecting money, purchasing materials and equipment, and follow them. Work in pairs when collecting large amounts of money.
Establish a policy regarding your grading system consistent with school and district policies, where applicable. Give a written explanation of it to students and parents at the beginning of the year or when they begin your class or unit of instruction.

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Establish a policy regarding your behavioral management system. Give a written explanation of it to students and parents at the beginning of the year or when they begin your class or unit of instruction.

Reputation in the community :

Reputation in the community Keep your co-workers and supervisors informed; work and communicate as a team; plan and teach each other.
Communicate with parents and document your communication.
Dress and act appropriately and professionally. You are a role model in the community as well as in the school. Be a good example for students.
Use common sense and good judgment. Ask yourself how someone else could perceive your comments or actions. Ask yourself if your comments or actions could be taken out of context and/or misinterpreted.

Slide 41:

Avoid putting yourself in a position where you have to defend, explain, or justify your behavior or actions. Avoid putting yourself in a position where it is your work against another person's word.
Maintain a professional reputation in the community. When you "party," be discreet.

Watch :

Watch Professionalism Through Integrity
Click on icon above and click on “Click to watch video online”